SPARTANBURG, S.C. – USC Upstate women's soccer returns to the road Saturday afternoon as the Spartans continue Big South Conference play against High Point at Vert Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. as Upstate looks to remain undefeated in conference play and extend its four-match winning streak.
Matchup: USC Upstate (8-2-3, 4-0-0 Big South) at High Point (3-7-1, 2-1-0 Big South) Date: Saturday, Oct. 10 Time: 4 p.m. Location: Vert Stadium | High Point, N.C. Watch: ESPN+ | https://tinyurl.com/99pnxm27 Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/c257tmz5
USC Upstate enters Saturday's contest following a commanding 5-1 victory over Winthrop at County University Soccer Stadium. Liana Bryant and Lily MacCausland each recorded two goals in the victory, while Jasmyn Mitchner added another as the Spartans improved to 8-2-3 overall and a perfect 4-0-0 in Big South play.
The victory marked Upstate's fourth consecutive conference win, having previously defeated Charleston Southern (2-1), Longwood (2-0) and Presbyterian (4-1). During that stretch, the Spartans have outscored their conference opponents 13-3, displaying offensive consistency and defensive strength.
Through 13 matches, Upstate has established itself as a consistent offensive threat, scoring 30 goals while registering 158 shots, including 84 on goal. The Spartans are averaging 2.31 goals and 12.2 shots per match while collecting 21 assists and generating 80 corner kicks.
Upstate has been particularly effective early in matches, scoring 19 of its 30 goals in the first half. The Spartans are also undefeated this season when entering halftime with a lead, holding a 6-0-0 record in those contests.
Senior forward Liana Bryant continues to lead the Spartans offensively with eight goals, five assists and 21 points. Bryant has also recorded a team-high 43 shots, including 28 on goal, and has accounted for four game-winning goals this season.
Bryant is coming off an impressive performance against Winthrop, where she registered two goals and an assist while recording eight shots, including six on goal. Her performance marked a season high in both shots and shots on goal.
Redshirt freshman Jasmyn Mitchner has also played a key role in the Spartans' offensive success, recording six goals and three assists for 15 points. Mitchner, who earned Big South Freshman of the Week honors on Sept. 14, has continued to provide an offensive spark throughout conference play.
Junior Lily MacCausland follows with four goals and one assist for nine points. MacCausland recorded her first multi-goal performance of the season against Winthrop, finding the back of the net twice in the Spartans' 5-1 victory.
Defensively, Cansu Kara has provided an impact on both ends of the field, leading Upstate with seven assists while contributing one goal. Kara earned Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 29 following her performance against Longwood, where she registered a goal and an assist in the Spartans' 2-0 victory.
Annabelle Wunderlich has added three goals and two assists, while Danielle Trovato and Katelyn Economopoulos have each contributed two goals.
Upstate has displayed a balanced attack this season, receiving goals from 10 different players.
On the defensive end, the Spartans have allowed just 13 goals through 13 matches, holding opponents to an average of one goal per contest. Goalkeeper Hannah Wilt has started 12 matches, recording 46 saves and two shutouts while maintaining a .793 save percentage and a 1.07 goals-against average.
Wilt holds an 8-2-2 record in goal, while freshman Kayla Cervantes has also contributed a shutout.
High Point enters Saturday's matchup with a 3-7-1 overall record and a 2-1-0 mark in Big South Conference play. The Panthers are coming off a 3-0 victory over Radford on Oct. 3 after falling 1-0 to UNC Asheville in their previous outing.
High Point opened conference play with a 2-1 road victory over Longwood and has collected wins in two of its first three Big South contests.
Through 11 matches, the Panthers have recorded 14 goals on 113 shots, including 51 shots on goal. High Point is averaging 1.27 goals and 10.3 shots per match while collecting nine assists and generating 49 corner kicks.
The Panthers have allowed 17 goals this season while surrendering 129 shots.
Sabba Haghgoo leads High Point's offensive attack with four goals and two assists for 10 points. Haghgoo also leads the Panthers with 26 shots and 14 shots on goal.
Morgan Wilcox follows with two goals and one assist for five points, while Brooke Potter and Chloe Edwards have each scored twice.
In goal, Nylah Mirshafiei has started 10 matches for the Panthers, recording 42 saves with a .737 save percentage and a 1.48 goals-against average. Mirshafiei holds a 3-6-1 record with two shutouts.
High Point is led by fifth-year head coach Aaron McGuiness, who enters the contest with a 28-39-19 record at the helm of the Panthers.
The Panthers hold a 2-3-0 record at home this season, including a 1-0-0 mark at Vert Stadium in Big South play.
Saturday's contest marks the 13th all-time meeting between USC Upstate and High Point, with the Spartans having won six of the last seven meetings between the programs.
The two teams last met in the 2025 Big South Tournament on Nov. 9, where the match finished in a 1-1 draw before High Point advanced on penalty kicks.
Earlier in the 2025 season, Upstate earned a 2-0 victory over the Panthers on Sept. 24.
The Spartans also swept both meetings during the 2024 campaign, earning a 3-1 victory on Oct. 12 before securing a 3-0 shutout on Nov. 10.
Last Four Meetings:
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